EVER wondered how your Echo gets put together?

From its humble beginnings on May 28, 1921, when it was known as the Dorset Daily Echo, it has grown from the youngest of three dailies on along the south coast, also including Bournemouth and Southampton, into a recognisable brand.

But how does it get made? And what happened when the newspaper's office was hit by bombs during one particularly infamous raid on Weymouth during the Second World War?

Our behind the scenes video shows the modern printing press at work (which can be viewed online at dorsetecho.co.uk) and this picture gallery shows how the old press and offices used to look, as well as what it looks like now.

The original building in St Thomas Street (which is now Yates Wine Bar,) was bombed during World War Two.

On Maundy Thursday, April 2, 1942, there was a dive bombing attack on Weymouth. Sadly 12 people were killed during the raids and 38 others were seriously injured.

The Echo headquarters and the nurses’ quarters at the Portwey Hospital were hit.

The paper reported that the alerts were sounded at 9.32pm and the first bomb fell at 9.50pm. The raid lasted for about an hour. It is believed around 55 planes took part in the attack.

The bombs damaged the presses and the surrounding area, including homes and according to the paper, all that remained of the Fox Inn, adjoining the Echo, in St Nicholas Street was a 'mass of bricks'.

Staff worked throughout Good Friday to salvage type, copy and equipment and to help out with the other damaged buildings and homes nearby.

The loss of the Echo premises meant staff re-organisation. Some remained in Weymouth, while others went to Bournemouth to assist in production of the Echo, which was distributed across Dorset by car.

The Echo made history by not missing one issue after the bombings - as a later editorial stated: “the paper must come out.”

As reported in the paper in 1949 (when the new modern offices were opened after their rebuild,) the paper said: “It was touch and go as to whether publication would be unbroken, but the Echo appeared on the next publication day as usual. It had been printed at the offices of the Bournemouth Daily Echo, which was also turning out the Southern Daily Echo, whose offices had been destroyed in a raid on Southampton.

“For a time all three papers of the Southern Newspapers family were printed at Bournemouth, a feat unique in provincial journalism.”

The new offices opened on Monday July 4, 1949. The paper noted that in the reporter’s room 'each reporter has a desk and a typewriter.'

The new offices were opened by Sir David Ross, Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Press and Mayor of Weymouth Alderman Percy Burt.

Mr W Perkins, the Chairman of Southern Newspapers declared: “We are home again.” He recalled they had waited “seven long years” after the Echo had been knocked out by Hitler’s bombers.

An editorial written for the opening said: “It is considered bad journalistic manners for a newspaper to talk about itself, but there are exceptions to this rule, as to every other.

“Today’s opening of our rebuilt head office and works at Weymouth is one of them.

“Last time we discussed the history and achievements of the Dorset Daily Echo was seven years ago on Thursday, May 8, 1942. Amid the anxieties and uncertainties of a terrible conflict we were celebrating our 21st birthday.

“Southern Newspapers Ltd, publishers of this journal, had been severely hit by the war. At Weymouth and at Southampton the offices and works of the company lay in ruins. Three of its evening papers were being printed at the presses in Bournemouth.

“The building in St Thomas Street was destroyed by enemy action in April 1942, 21 years after the foundation of the paper. But just as in the world of the theatre there is the tradition that 'the show must go on,' so in journalism there is an equally strong tradition that 'the paper must come out.'

The editorial discussed the new buildings and presses and the role of the paper going forward.

It ended by saying: “Now, as in the past, a free press is the guarantee of a free society. Now, as in the past, press freedom has its enemies.

"But we believe that while the independent provincial newspapers continue to do their job conscientiously, England will never be without witnesses to those liberal principals which made her morality great.”

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830981

e: catherine.bolado@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoCB